{Sponsored content}

I know it’s hard for us moms to consistently find me-time. Sure, we can occasionally make time for ourselves and take a little break, but let’s be honest, very few moms do this on a weekly basis. Right? Something more achievable, though, is to periodically squeeze in a mini-break. Let me share how I’ve been able to add me-time and hopefully inspire you to take a break for yourself!

Early on in the year I scheduled a recurring weekly block on my calendar for just me. I don’t always get to take my weekly break, but I’ve managed to do so every now and again. My weekly break is used for whatever I choose – anything from a long shower to properly wash and condition my hair to taking time to watch a recorded show. The great thing is that your breaks don’t have to be long or complicated. If you can even find 20 minutes, it can be a great thing! Here are some ideas for how you can enjoy a quick break from your routine, plus my own me-time kit I put together.

5 Ideas for a Quick Me-Time Break

1. Pamper yourself with a mini-facial using a homemade face scrub or a store-bought mask.
2. Enjoy a little treat, like the new KIT KAT Minis available at Walmart starting this weekend. I’m a huge fan of chocolate, so the samples I received from Hershey’s were definitely included in my me-time kit.
3. Listen to your favorite songs – you can create a break time playlist or make a CD for an on-the-go quick break in the car.
4. Read a magazine or part of a book. You can keep the most current issue of your favorite magazine or a book you’re currently reading in the car or in a special corner of your home for easy access when you take your break.
5. Enjoy a relaxing drink of tea, coffee, or your favorite beverage.

In building my own me-time kit, I headed to Walmart and treated myself to some tea and a new facial mask to go along with the KIT KAT Minis sent to me. Walmart also has books, magazines, CDs, and many other items you can add to your own me-time kit – just think of some of your favorite activities you can quickly enjoy to quiet your mind a little from the everyday hustle and bustle.

What would you add to your personal me-time kit?

Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I received samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™

These days, I’m barely able to find a little quiet time for myself. Even with these 7 ways to squeeze in ‘me time’, I don’t always feel like I can make it happen. As the majority of you know, there’s a lot that goes into raising two kids, owning a business, and juggling all the roles a woman plays. If we don’t make ourselves a priority and take time for ourselves, it’s just not going to happen. We have to make it happen, right? This is me making it happen for two of you! Read on for some cool tips and a fun giveaway to help you get some ‘me time’ in your week.

I figured the best people to ask for tips for getting some ‘me time’ would be other moms and business owners. After all, who wants advice from someone not walking the walk? These ladies live a full life, just as you and I do, and have shared their ideas, tips, and tricks for adding some ‘me time’ to their lives.

Tips from Real Moms on Taking Time for Yourself

“I like to do shopping, or window shopping, run or do yoga, read a good book, or watch comedy or reality TV–preferably with a glass of wine,” shared Kelly of The Centsible Life, who also lists 10 ways to get some ‘me’ time while updating your look or wardrobe on her own site.

“Sometimes I just have to lock myself in the bathroom,” says Megan of SweetSadieMarie.com. Monica of Mommy Maestra shared Megan’s sentiments saying she too locks the bathroom door!

Julie at Julieverse.com stresses that ‘me time’ is a total necessity in mommying, and also says her favorite ways to get ‘me time’ include, “gym time, mani/pedis, quiet time at a coffee shop, shopping.”

“I send my kids and husband to the park,” is Silvia’s trick for getting ‘me time’. Silvia writes at Mamá Latina Tips.

Jessica of Found the Marbles had this to say: “Because I have worked from home for the past six years I need to get out of my house to truly decompress, whether that means having dinner or drinks with girlfriends or getting out on a Saturday night with my husband.” Jessica also shared The Art of Decompressing with readers on her site.

“I leave the house with my laptop and iPad citing that I’m off to the grocery store. Then I spend hours at my local coffee house enjoying a day of caffeine and writing,” said Sara, Founder and Editor at www.mommafindings.com

Nadia of JusticeJonesie.com told us: “For me time, I pick one of my two Cs. Cocktails with friends or a coffee at a coffee house somewhere.”

“I squeeze me time after work or head on over to the coffee shop for FREE wifi on weekends. I love me time. I need more of it,” was the tip provided by Eva of Tech.Food.Life.

As you can see, everyone has their own way of getting some ‘me time’ and taking some time to relax. Hopefully, you’ve learned some new tricks you didn’t already know! To help you out even more, two of you will win a fun ‘me time’ kit to put these tips to use and have some time for yourself!

We’ve partnered with CVS/pharmacy to provide the following essentials for a little self-pampering, all of which you can find at your local CVS store or online:

• Essence of Beauty Ultra Soft Spa Set
• Essence of Beauty Faux Sea Sponge
• Nuance Salma Hayek Shampoo and Conditioner
• Nuance Salma Hayek Eye Quad
• Designer Fragrance
• Sally Hansen Nail Polish
• Godiva Chocolates

‘Me Time’ Essentials Giveaway

We want you to have some ‘me time’ and take care of yourself, so we’re giving two of you this kit full of ‘me time’ essentials! Consider it an early Mother’s Day gift for yourself or give it away to your own mom or special lady in your life!

How to Enter

Required entry: If you’d like to enter this giveaway for a ‘me time’ kit, simply leave a comment below sharing your favorite way to make time for yourself.

Extra entries (optional):
Each of the following will count as 1 extra entry. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. Follow @modernmami on Twitter.
2. Tweet the following (1 time only): Need some ‘me time’? Who doesn’t?! Enter to win a ‘me time’ pampering kit from @modernmami! http://bit.ly/metimeideas #giveaway #balance
3. Receive post updates by subscribing to our RSS feed. You can do so either via email or through a RSS reader. Leave a comment saying you did so or are already a subscriber.
4. Write a blog post on your own blog sharing the details of this giveaway. Be sure to include a link back to this post. Leave a comment with your post link.

All entries must be in by Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. You must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident. No purchase necessary. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winners will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.) Winners will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received the same ‘me time’ kit from CVS/pharmacy in order to facilitate this giveaway. No compensation received.

Top photo: D. Sharon Pruitt